With partner and fellow billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskyy controls Privat group, a banking and industrial conglomerate. Began with Privatbank, which was founded with $1 million of capital in early 1990s; bank value has fallen 75% since last year as credit crisis brings Ukraine to brink of collapse. Last year sold iron ore and coke interests to Lanebrook Ltd., the major shareholder of Russian miner and steelmaker Evraz Group; received cash and shares in Evraz; those shares down 86% over past year. Via his private company, Palmary Enterprises, won control over Australia's manganese ore miner Consolidated Minerals. Last fall launched a raid on Australia's OM Holdings, regarded as world's last independent supplier of high-grade manganese, sparking concerns he may try to corner supply of an important industrial mineral; company reinforced its takeover protection in response.